What do you already know about the relationships
between plants and animals?

What are some examples of plants
giving shelter to animals?

What are some examples of plants
providing food for animals?

Here are two photographs of other examples of plants
providing shelter.

This butterfly pupa is attached to the underside of a
plant in the *riparian* habitat along
Sabino Creek. The leaves of the plant are providing shelter to the developing
insect.

What do you notice about the color of the leaves and
the color of the pupa? What is the scientific word for this? Check your
answer.

This plant is called canyon ragweed. Notice
the yellowish colored bumps on the leaves. These are called "galls."
Galls form on the plant where it has been injured just like your body
makes a scab to protect a cut while your skin is healing.

Mites laid their eggs on the leaves of the
ragweed. To protect itself, the plant formed galls. The galls not only
protect the plant but also help the mites by keeping their eggs safe until
they hatch.